Ditch paving machine



Aug. 24, 1948. E. D. EKENSTAM nrrcn PAVING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 20, 1945 NNN QNN INVENTOR. [on A20 0; f/fE/VSTAM,

Arraevzn Aug, 24; 194. 15. D. EKENSTAM ni'TcH PAVING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 20, 1945 I'NVIENTOR. fan 420 .0. E/fE/VSTAAI,

n mw w. M... R wmmww w w @N w u m w. m n mm mm m m m b mm mm Aug. 24, 1948. E. D. EKENSTAM DITCH PAVING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 20, 1945 QM mum INVENTOR. fan A20 0. f/fE/VSTAM,

BY V vfi I Arrafwsx R S Q 8 1948. IE. D. EKENSTAM 2,447,571

DITCH PAVING MACHINE Filed Jan. 20, 1945 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 n v. INVENTOR. fan/A20 Q f/(E/VJ'MM Aug. 24, 1948. EKENSTAM 2,447,571

DITCH PAVING MACHINE Filed Jan. 20, 1945 s Sheets-Sheet e INVENTOR. aw/1 20 0. f/rz/vsm/u,

Patented Aug. 24, 1948 BITCH PAVING MACHINE Edward D. Ekenstam, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor of one-half to Southwest Paving Company, a corporation of California Application January 20, 1945, Serial No. 573,652

24 Qiaims.

The present invention relates to ditch paving machines for the construction of drainage or irrigation ditches in regions where the soil is loose or sandy and subject to rapid erosion, or where the supply of water is scant and the loss by seepage is excessive. Where such conditions exist, it is necessary to line the sides and bottom of the ditch with an impervious and erosion-resistant layer of asphalt or other material, and machines heretofore employed for this purpose have been constructed to travel on header boards or tracks which are laid along the surface of the ground at the edges of the ditch. There are several disadvantages in this system, among them being the added cost of grading the surface to make the header boards level with the ditch bottom, and of laying and taking up the header boards. Another objection to the use of header boards is that it precludes the use of such a machine in paving ditches which are asymmetric, such as on turns where the outer wall must be higher than the inner wall.

It may be stated that the primary object of the a present invention is to provide a novel and im proved ditch paving machine which does not require the use of header boards or tracks in its operation and which is, therefore, not subject to the limitations and objections of such header boards.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine adapted. for operation in all types of terrain and soil, and which is capable of paving either a V-shaped or a trapezoidal ditch at a relatively high rate-of speed in one operation, producing a dense, uniform paving with a smooth surface.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mobile machine capable of being quickly and easily folded or dismantled for transportation from one job to another on fiat bed trucks.

A further object of the invention is to provide a flexible machine adapted to accommodate changes in grade along the ditch, and capable of adjustment to meet a wide variety of ditch shapes and sizes. I

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art in reading the following detailed de-'. scription of a preferred embodiment thereof, reference being had to the drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan View of a machine constructed according to the principles of my invention; 7

Fig.2 is a front elevational View of the same; Fig. 3 is a rear elevational view of the same;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged top plan view of the frame structure with the super-structure and certain other equipment removed for the purpose of showing more clearly certain details of construction;

Fig. 5 is a sectional View taken along the line 55 in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken along the lin 66 in Fig. 5;

Fig. '7 is a sectional view taken along the line 71 in Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken along the line 88 in Fig. 4;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 9-9 in Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line ll!l0 in Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of the means for adjusting the width of the pan or center section of the front unit;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged elevational View of one of the side sections on the front unit of the machine;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged sectional View taken along the line l3|3 in Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is an enlarged, partially sectioned View of the cushioning device by which the side unit is supported;

Fig. 15 is an enlarged top plan view of one of the side sections on the rear unit of the machine;

Fig. 16 is a sectional view through thetamper; taken along the line IB|6 in Fig. 15;

Fig. 1'7 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line I'I-ll in Fig. 15;

Fig. 18 is a top plan view of another embodiment of my invention for paving V-shaped ditches; and

Fig. 19 is a front elevational view of the same.

The machine of the present invention is intended for use in paving the sides and bottom of a ditch which has already been prepared by any of the well known ditch digging machines, and is adapted to be set up in the ditch and thereafter to be drawn along the. length thereof, performing Referring now to Figs. 1 to 17, inclusive, of the.

drawings, the machine comprises, in general, a front unit II and rear unit 12 which are connected together for relative vertical adjustment. The primary function of "the front unit II is to provide support for the weight of the machine on the ditch bottom and to guide the machine on its course. Strike-oil blades are also carried by the front unit to finish grade the side walls of the ditch. The rear unit i2 is carried by the front unit at the required height above the ground in order to produce an asphalt layer of the desired thickness, and its. function is to distribute the asphalt over the sides and bottom of theditch and to compact and smooth the layer of asphalt.

The front unit l I consists of a center section [3. and two side sections M which are supported thereon in upwardly diverging relationship corresponding in slope to the sidewalls of the. ditch. The center section i3 is in the nature of a sled, preferably taking the form of a flat bottomed'rectangular pan or skid I 5 whichrests on and lides along the bottom of the ditch. the broad bearing area of the pan bottom enablin the machine-to travel on soft, sandy soilwithout sinking in to any appreciable. extent. 'Ifhe pan ispreferably built up. Qi-steel: plate in; a telescopic construction. pe mittingextensicn to. any desired width up to the. maximum allowed, and comprises right and left shells 20 and 2| which are arranged side by side (see Fig. 4).. Each. of the shells 20 andv 2| has a bottom, with front and rear end walls and one side wall, all welded. or otherwise suitably joined together to form a rigid, boxlike construction. Fore and aft extending channelirons 22: are welded or riveted to the side walls of the shells 29, 21 and have laterally inwardly extending channel irons 23 and 24 welded thereto near their ends. Theichannel irons 23; and 24liealongside and. are secured to the outer ends of transverse; frame members 25 which. are welded to the front and rear ends of a central fore. and; aft extending box beam; 26. and. a. pair of laterally spaced channel inonsZ'l on oppositesidesthereof; Aplurality of bolt holes 3d are. provided in the. web of each of the. channels 23 and 25-, and: bolts. 5:! are. passed throughcertain' of these holes and through corresponding holes in the members 25. This arrangement permits alignment of. the bolt holes in channels 23, 24 with those in. members 25 for any desired rangeofpan. widths, and adjustment of the pan is accomplished by removing the boltsfil; spreading the two shells 20, 2! aparttothedesired. width, and-.reinserting the. bolts-.inithe newly alignedsholes.

The shells 2lland'2l1are telescopically associated with a center membercompris'ing.topandbota. templates 32 and. 33 having. a. relatively. narrow spacer plate 34 disposed centrally between; them (see Fig. 8) said;platesbeingv welded: or otherwise suitably joined together to. form. a unitary, struc-. ture. The bottoms of the shells 20; H areine sorted in. the gap between the 'topan-d. bottom plates. 32 '33-of thecenter member and: are slidableinand out. forthe purpose of width adjustment. The top plate3-2 hasupturnedfront and. back; ends 35. and 35a. (see Fig. 9). which. lie against the. front. andrear end walls ofthe shells. .2], 2|. to close the gap between. adjacent edges thereof; The bottom plate 33 is flat and is bent upslightly at: its leading edge .to formaprow 31 which tends to ride up over soft sand or. obstacles inthe ditch insteadof digging in.

The sides offthe pan l5 are spread apart or. drawn together by means ofscrew jacks-4i each of-which comprises a transverselyextenclin pipe M welded. at its outer endto the frame. member. 22. A nut 42. is welded to theinner. end of. the pipe, and. threaded intothenut. is a screw. shaft- 43 which extends loosely into. the pipe substantially to the outer end thereof. The shaft 43 passes through a hole in the web of channel iron 27 and has a nut ti l welded to its inner end, said nut serving as a head for the screw shaft, whereby the latter can be turned by a wrench. A look nut 45 is threaded onto the shaft 53 and bears against the inside surface of the web of channel iron 21 to lock the screw shaft against turning after it has been adjusted. When thelock nut 15 has been loosened and the screw shaft 43 is turned, the pipe 4| is moved outwardly or inwardly, as the case may be, by the nut 42, spreadin the shells 26, 2| apart or drawing them together. The. head 44 bears against the outside of the center beam 26 to spread the shells apart, while the lock nut 65 bears against the inside of the web of channel iron 21 to draw the shells together, in which case the lock nut and head must be turned together to prevent the lock nut from binding.

The side sections 14 each include a guide member 5i which is preferably in the form of a triangular box beam constructed of steel: plate and extending along the side of the pan l5 fromfront to rear, said member being connected by a piano hinge 5!; to the bottom edge of its associated shell 20, 2|-. The bottom surface of the guide mem: ber -59 slopes upwardly and outwardly and is adapted to engage and bear against the sloping side walls of the ditch to guide the machine along itscourse. Inv order to accommodate variations in the slope of the ditch walls, means are provided for adjusting andmaintaining the angle of the guide member relative to the pan, said means comprising a pair of fore and aft spaced, vertical angle iron posts 52 which are welded to the hori-.

zontal. top plate of; the guide member; Fixed to the pan [5 alongside the angleirons 52. is a second pair of parallel vertical angle irons. 53, the lower ends of which are Welded toa spacer block 54 which is welded, inturn, to the channel iron 22'. Arranged betweenv and; journaled in the upper ends of the posts 52 is a trunnion block 55, while a second trunnion block 56 is journaled between theupper ends of posts 53. A threaded. tie rod 51 extends through aligned holes in the trunnion blocks 55 and 56, and nuts 58 are threaded onto the tie rod onboth sides of the trunnions. Angular adjustment of the guide member 501s 0btain-.

ed by backing off the nut 58 on one side of. either trunnion and advancing the nut on the other side, which has the eifect of increasing the length of tie rodbetween the trunnion blocks.

A generally triangular frame 62- of angle irons is. supported; along the outer edge of theguide.

memberlill for vertical swinging by a piano-hinge 63, and carried on the leading edge of this frame is a grading blade, or subgrade strike-off 64, the function of which is to scrape the sides of. the ditch to the. finish grade. A short length of strike-,ofi-bladeBBis mounted on the front end of. the guide member 50 and overlies theinner end of blade. 64,.said bladesbeing free to slide or move relative toone another as the frame'62 swings up.

or down about the hinge'63;

Each of the frames 62 is yieldingly heldadownv against the ground by means of a link or tie rod 66which is connected at its outer end: to the frameby a. yoke 6'! and: trunnion block. 68. The tierod 66.is. also provided at itsinner endwitha similar yoke 10 and trunnion block H, the latter of which. is disposed. between and journaled in the. angle irons 52. just below the trunnion 5.5.. A spring shock strut 12 is incorporated in the tie rodfiB: and acts to .urge the frame 62 down against the ground, said shock strut being yieldable to allow the frame to rise over rocks or other obstacles. In order to accommodate the shock strut I2, the tie rod 66 is broken, and a screw threaded plug I3 is fixed to the end of the outer section 66a (see Fig. 14). One end of cylinder I4 is screwed onto the the plug I3, and threaded into the other end of the cylinder is a bushing I5. The inner section 661) of the tie rod extends through and is slidable in the bushing I5, and fixed to its end within the cylinder is a plug 16. A compression spring TI is arranged between the plug 76 and member 13 which exerts a yielding force tending to extend the length of the tie rod and thereby press the frame 62 down against the ground. Adjustment of the tension in the spring TI is obtained by means of a turnbuckle I8 which is threaded onto adjacent ends of the rod 66 in the usual manner to enable the length of the rod to be varied.

Mounted on the center section I3 is an elevated asphalt hopper 80 which serves to receive the asphalt mix from power shovels and to discharge the same onto the bottom and sides of the ditch behind the strike-ofi blades 64 and center pan I5, where the material is spread and packed by elements carried on the rear unit I2 of the machine. The hopper 80 is supported on a frame 8|, which is mounted on the top plate 33 of the pan I5. Material carried by the hopper is discharged through its bottom and is carried by three chutes 83, 84, and 85, to their respective points of delivery. Chutes 83 and 85 are inclined downwardly and. laterally to deliver the material to the sides of the ditch, while chute 84 is inclined downwardly and rearwardly to deliver the material to the ditch bottom.

Mounted on the pan I5 is a gasoline engine. 90 or other suitable source of power having a gear transmission 9I at one end thereof. A drive shaft 92 projects from the transmission housing, and mounted on this shaft is a pinion 93 which meshes with a large gear 94 fixed on a transversely extending jack shaft 95. The jack shaft 95 is journallel in bearings 91 which are mounted in any suitable manner on the pan I5, and fixed to the'jack shaft is a pinion 96 which meshes with a large gear I fixed to one end of a winch drum IOI. The winch drum IN is mounted on a shaft I02 journalled in bearings 99 on the pan I5, and a cable I03 is attached to and wrapped around the winch drum IOI, extending forwardly therefrom to a fixed point some distance ahead of the machine. Preferably, the fixed point is a sheave wheel or pulley (not shown) mounted on a tractor or truck, and the cable I03 is trained around the sheave wheel and extends back to the machine, being attached to a halter I04 which is fastened to two hitch rings I05 at opposite sides of the center pan I5. From the foregoing description, it will be readily understood that as the cable is wound onto the winch drum IOI, the machine is pulled forwardly along the ditch. When the machine has pulled itself up to the tractor or truck acting as a dead man, the said tractor or truck then moves ahead to a new location at a considerable distance ahead of the machine, while the cable I03 is paid out from the winch drum IOI.

Sprocket wheels I06 are also mounted on the ends of the jack shaft 95, and trained around these sprockets are drive chains I0'I which extend rearwardly therefrom to drive th tampers carried on the .rear unit I2. An air pump IIO mounted on the frame 89 has a connecting rod III which is driven from an eccentric II2 on the 6. jack shaft 95, and the output of the pump H0 is delivered through a pipe II 3 to a pressure fuel tank II4 mounted on the rear of the pan I5 beneath the chute 84. Pressure built up within the fuel tank II4 forces oil through lines II5 to burner jets in hot smoothing irons and tampers carried on the rear unit, which will be described in more detail presently.

The rear unit I2 comprises, in general, a horie zontal center section I and two side sections I2I mounted on the opposite sides of the center section and extending outwardly and upwardly therefrom in diverging relationship. The center section I20 consists of a frame made up of two laterally spaced, fore and aft extending channel iron members I22 and I23 which are pivotally connected at their front ends by bolts I24 to brackets I25 on the rear end of the pan I5. Connecting the side members I22 and I23 near their midpoints are channel irons I26 which are welded at their outer ends to the side members and extend inwardly toward each other. A channel iron member I2'I lies along the rear side of members I26 and is adjustably secured thereto in the same manner that members 23 and 26 of the front unit are joined together so that the frame can be extended in width to correspond to the width of the pan I5. The rear ends of the members I22, I23 are likewise joined together by an extensible cross member comprising channel irons I30 which are adjustably secured by bolts I3I to an overlying member I32.

The brackets I25 are adjustable vertically with respect to the pan I5, and to this end, vertical slots I33 are provided in the brackets I25, and bolts I34 are passed through the slots and through aligned holes in the rear walls of the shells 20, 2 I. The brackets I25 are raised or lowered relative to the pan I5 by means of upwardly extending threaded rods I34a which are welded to the brackets, each of said rods passing through a sleeve or boss I35 formed integrally with a fore and aft extending beam I36. Vertical adjustment is obtained by means of a nut I31 threaded on the upper end of rod I34a and bearing against the top of the beam I36.

Each of the beams I36 is attached at its front end to member 23 in the front unit and extends rearwardly and upwardly therefrom over the back wall of the pan I5 to a point substantially directly above cross member I32. A vertical post I30 is welded to member I36 intermediate its ends, and a tension rod I40 which is attached to the ends of member I36 passes over and is welded to the top of post I38. Depending from the rear end of member I36 is a link I42 having an eye I43 at the lower end thereof through which is passed a bolt I44 connecting the link I42 to the frame member I22, I23. The upper end of the link I42 passes through an apertured boss I45 in member I36 and is threaded to receive a nut I41 which bears on the top of the boss.

Fixed to the frame members I22, I23 and to the cross members I26 are diagonally disposed asphalt sweeps I and I5I which function to distribute the asphalt mix uniformly over the bottom of the ditch. When the center section I20 is closed to the minimum width, the asphalt sweeps I50 and I5I converge forwardly to a point, but when the center section is extended, it is necessary to insert an additional section of sweep (not shown) into the space between the front ends of the sweeps I50 and Hal in order to close the all.

Extending across the full width of thefrarne gnaw-s Z of the center sect-ion I20 and mounted on the front sideof the members I36. is an asphalt strike-off blade orm-oldboard 152 which serves to strike oif the level of therelatively loose material so that the smoothing iron which follows will exert auniform pressure over the entire area of the ditch bottom. Preferably, the moldboard mitting. extension of the beam. with. theframev of the center section I29; A. hinge I58 isprovided' along the back of beam 555 along the bottom edge thereof, and supported on this hinge is a The smoothing. iron IE8 hot smoothing iron Ifail. is-preferably in the form of a half cylinder of steel plate, with a flat bearing plate I fil (seeFig. across the bottom thereof which runs onthe asphalt.

The ends of the cylinder are closed by down-, 'Wardly and outwardly inclined end plates. I 62,

and mounted on top of the cylinder near the ends,

thereof are burner jets I63 which are connected to the fuel lines H5. The jets I53 project into the interior of the cylinder and are directed in toward the center so that the entire length of the smoothing iron is uniformly heated to a.

I58 for the purpose of adjusting the position of;

the smoothing iron relative to the beam 155. The smoothing iron 5% maybe made telescopic, if desired, but I have found it more convenient to replace the smoothing iron with another of appropriate length when the frame i20 is extended in width.

The side sections 25 each consist of afore and aft extending tubular member I'Hl lying alongside the members I22, I23 and pivotally supported thereon by means of bearing brackets I'H. Fixed to the rear end of and extending laterally outwardly from the tubular member Iii! is a long rectangular tamper housing 112 formed of front andback plates IE3 and I'M which are joined together at their ends by channel irons 115. A moldboard H8 is mounted on the front plate I73 of the housing for the purpose of striking off the level of the loose asphalt mix so that the compacting elements which follow will have a uniform layer of material upon which to act. A bracing member ii? is welded to the outer end of the tamper housing i i2 and extends forwardly and inwardly to a point immediately behind the front bearing bracket ll'I where it is Welded to the tubular member I153.

outwardly and rearwardly extending asphalt sweeps I88, I8! and 582 are welded at their front or inner ends to the tubular member no and are supported at their outer ends by a diagonal member I83 which is fixed at its rear end to the tamper housing I72. The rear sweepI82 is fixed to the front of the bracing member- I 1.1 for its entire length, and mounted onthe-outer end oft thesweeps I82 andimembers I are cut off members I84 which serve to prevent the'asphaltfrom beingv spreadout beyondtheends of the side sections MI. The cut-oif members I84 are also supported on the moldboards I76 andaare. preferably adjustable along the length thereof so that the height of. the paving along the. ditch walls may be var-ied.

The sidesections I2:I are, also yieldingly held downagainst the ground in the same manner'as the side. sectionsl of the-front. unit by means of tie rods.- l85: (see Figs. 16 and 17). in which areincorporated spring. shock. struts. I86 and turnbuckles I831. The outer endsof'the tie-rods. I85

are secured by universal: joint connections: 190' to posts I 9| which are-fixed'toand extend up:- wardly from the tamper housing I12, while the inner ends ofthetie rods are similarlylconnected by. universal joints. I92 toposts I93on the centersection I 20;

Disposed, within the tamper housing I12 is a vertically reciprocable tamper I95: which is. in the form of a rectangular box hea-m having its ends closed (see Figs. 16 and 17). A pair of lat-. orally-spaced verticalposts ISG-arefixed at their lower ends to the bottom plate of 'theboX beam and extend upwardly throughhcles in the top plate and are welded thereto. Threaded onto the upper ends of the posts 196: are eccentric boxes I91 which are'journaled on eccentric wheelsZBIl: Each of the, shafts 201 the end of the tamper housing, andhasa sprocket- 203 fixed. thereto,- around which is trained the driving chain I0]; A: fuel valve and burner. jet 20.4 is mounted on top ofthe tamper I951near itsinner end and iscon-nectedby a flexible hose 205'tothe fuel line I 15. The nozzle oft-the jet 264 projects through an opening in the top of the tamper and is directed-laterally outwardly so that its flame traverses-the length of the tamper to heat the same more or lessxuniformly from end to end.

Carried on. theback. of: each of the tamper housings IIZ isabut-smoothing iron 206-which; IikeIthe Qenter smoothingdron' I60; is constructed of a half cylinder having a flat plate -20-1 weldeel-to its bottom. The smoothing -iron 206 is connected to the bottom edge ofthe tamperhousing by. meansof a hinge 210, andthasupwardly-extending brackets 2'I-lwelded'to its-top-- surface which are connected by bolts: 2I2. to thetop of thetamper housing. This arrangement-permitsangular adjustment of the smoothing iron' relative to'the tamper housing so that the pressure exerted on the asphalt by thesmoothing iron can be regulated. A fuel valve and burner jet 2 I3 is mounted on top of the smooting ironnear its inner end, with the jet nozzle projecting through a suitable opening into the interiorof the 1 smoothing: iron for heating thesame. The burner 2'I3'is connected'by-afiexible hose 2M and T-connection 2I5 to the fuel line-205;

swingablysupported on the backof the-tamper housing I I2 nearthe ends thereof by; hinges 2 I 6" are yoke-arms 220 which Y extend rearwardly over the top of-the smoothing iron-2ll6i Fixed: to the undersides of the yoke arms 220 'are bearing blocks '22]; and journaled in thesebearing blocks are stub ShaftsZZZ-Whichare fixed to'the ends of a roller 223. The roller 223 trails over the asphalt behind the smoothing iron 206 and smoothes out any remaining irregularities in the surface thereof. Ballast trays 224 are fixed to the rear extremities of the yoke arms 220 so that if additional pressure on the asphalt is required, bags of sand or. other suitable weights can be placed in the trays. Tension links 225 are connected to the rear ends of the inner yoke arms 220 and to the tamper housing I12 near its midpoint, and a turnbuckle 226 is incorporated in the link so that any desired proportion of the ballast can be applied to the tamper housing to press the smoothing iron 206 down onto the asphalt.

The operation of the ditch paving machine is believed tobe apparent from the preceding description. In order to transport the machine from one job to another on flat bed trucks, the link 66 bracing the side sections 14 of the front unit, and links 85 bracing the side sections of the rear unit are disconnected at one of their ends, and the side sections are swung up to a vertical position where they are secured in any suitable manner. If necessary, the asphalt hopper and its supporting frame can be removed and transported separately, as can the rear unit [2 of the machine. Upon arrival at the job, the machine is assembled and set up on the ground, and any necessary width adjustment of the center sections of front and rear units is made. The machine is then lifted and set down into the bottom of the ditch by means of a crane, and a truck or tractor having a sheave wheel is placed in position at an appreciable distance ahead of the machine. The cable I03 is then unreeled from the winch drum IUI and is trained around the sheave wheel on the truck, the halter 04 at the end of the cable being attached to hitch rings 505 on the center section of the front unit. The burner nozzles in the tampers I95 and on the smoothing irons IE9 and 25B are then opened and the fuel ignited to heat the tamper and smoothing irons to operating temperature. When the smoothing irons have become sufi'iciently hot, the fuel valves are turned off and the asphalt mix is dumped into the hopper 8!! by means of clam-shell shovels. The motor 90 is then started and the machine is thereafter pulled along the ditch by the winch drum in l. Asphalt from the hopper 88 is discharged through chutes 83, 84, and 85 onto the sides and bottom of the ditch where it is spread to a uniform depth by the asphalt sweeps. The moldboards I53 and H6 strike off the levels of the loose asphalt, after which the reciprocatin tampers i535 compact the layer of asphalt 'to the desired density. The hot smoothing irons compact the asphalt additionally to a certain extent and seal the surface thereof, while the rollers trailing behind the smoothing irons smooth out any irregularities in the surface of the asphalt layer. A mechanical roller follows the machine to compact and roll the flat bottom of the ditch, although if it is desired to eliminate such rolling operation, the housing I55 can be modified slightly to receive a reciprocating tamper, and a central roller can be added by means of a suitable yoke connected to the housing I55. It will be appreciated that such a central roller, if added to the machine, would necessarily be offset rearwardly behind the rollers 223 so as to clear the ends of the latter.

Another embodiment of the machine which is intended for use in V-type ditches having no .flat bottoms is illustrated in Figs. 18 and 19, to

bers 241.

. 10 which reference is now directed. In this embodiment of the machine, the center section has been omitted and the mechanism is carried on two laterally spaced, angularly related frames 23% and '23I, each of which comprises a pair of spaced, fore and aft extending frame members 232 and 233 which are connected by cross members 234, 235, 236, and 231. The frame 230 is mounted on fore and after sled runners 238 having upturned front ends which tend to ride up over soft sand or obstructions. Companionate hinge fittings 240 and '24! are fixed to adjacent. edges of the frame members 233 near the'front and rear ends thereof, and these fittings are connected by hinge pins 242 which permit vertical swinging movement of the two frames relative to one another. This arrangement enables the machine to accommodate any range of slope to the side walls of the ditch, as well as to variations in slope along the length of a given ditch.

Mounted on the frames 230', 23l, and extending diagonally rearwardly and outwardly from the center line of the machine are asphalt sweeps 245 which serve to distribute the asphalt mix uniformly over'the sides of the ditch. The inner ends of the asphalt sweep on the frame 230, 23| overlap, or are staggered, as shown, so that their bottom corners are disposed in acommon line and thus are enabled to reach down to the bottom of the ditch.

Mounted on the rear ends of the frames 230, 23! and extending rearwardly therefrom are laterally spaced beams 246 and 246m which are fixedat their rear ends to transverse yoke mem- Diagonal brace members 248 are fixed to the midpoint of member 241 and to the beams 246 and 246a to add rigidity to the structure. The ends of the yoke member 24'! extend beyond beams 2%, 246a. and have downwardly extending arms 256 having bearing portions 25! at their lower ends. Stud shafts 252 on the ends of rollers 253 and 253a are journaled in the bearing portions 2.5!. As clearly. shown in Fig. 18; the beams 246a of section 23! are longer than their corresponding parts on section 230, sothat the roller 253a is offset rearwardly from roller 253. This enables both rollers to reach down into the apex formed by the junction of the ditch walls.

to operating temperature, after which the temperature is maintained by the heat of the asphalt mix. The beveled ends of the smoothing irons ,enable them to be placed in line without being offset, as with the other elements. I

Ahead of. the smoothing irons are moldboards 260 and 261m which are connected to their respective beams by bracket members 26L said moldboards being staggered to enable them both to reach down into the apex of the ditch. H

The operation of this embodiment of my invention is believed to be sufficiently similar to that of the preceding embodiment to require little additional description. The grading blades have been omitted, inasmuch as they are not required on V-type ditches. Hot asphalt mix is dumped through the open frames 230, 23l onto the sides of the ditch just ahead of the asphalt sweeps 245 11 which-then act to distributethe asphalt'uniformly .overthe sides of the ditch. 1 Themoldboards 260, .Zfillastrikeoff the level-ofthe asphalt, and the following smoothing irons and rollers compact theasphaltlayer andsmooth off its surface.

While I have shown and described in some detail thepreferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that such details are not ,restrictive and that various changes in design, structure andarrangement maybe made without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

.I claim:

11. ,An asphalt ditch paving machine comprising in. combinatiomaflat bottomed pan adapted to bear on and slide along the flat bottom of a .ditch, guidemeans mounted on said pan and having la broad bearing surface disposed to en- ,gage the sloping sides of the ditch to hold said pan on its course, and means carried on said ,pan at the ,rear end thereof for distributing asphalt mixzuniformly overthe sides and bottom of the ditch and thereafter compacting and smoothing said asphalt.

.2.,.An asphalt ditch paving machine .ccmprlsing, .in combinatioma fiat bottomed sled adapted .tobearonand slide along the bottom .of a ditch, guide .means carried ,along the sides of said sled .andadapted toengage the ditch sidesfor holding said sled centerd in the ditch, grading means carried on said sled and operable to bring the sides of the .ditch to finishv gradaspreading means carried .on said sled for'distributing asphalt mix to a substantially uniform .depth over the sides and bottom of the ditch, andasphalt finishing .means arranged to the rear of said spreading means for compacting and smoothing the. asphalt .on the sides and bottom of the ditch.

.3. An asphalt ditch paving machine comprising, incombination, afiat bottomed pan adapted tobear on and slide along the fiat bottom of a ditch, guide means mounted on said pan and having .a broad bearing surface disposed to enga e the sloping sides of the ditch to hold said pan on its .course, a hopper mounted on said ,pan and operative to deliver asphalt mix to the sides and bottom of the ditch, means carried on said pan to the :rear :of said hopper for .dis- .tributing the asphalt mix uniformly over the surface of the ditch, and .means for compacting and smoothing said asphalt.

4. An asphalt ditch paving machine comprising, in combination, a flat bottomed pan adapted to hear on and slide along the flat bottom of a ditch, guide means mounted onsaid pan .andhaving a broad bearing surface disposed to engage the .slopi-ngsidesof the ditch to hold said pan on its course, means on said pan for moving the same along thelength .of the ditch, means for delivering asphalt mix to the sides and bottom .of the ditch, means for spreading the mix to .a uniform depth, and means for compacting and smoothing the asphalt.

L5. asphalt ditch paving-machine comprisi g. in combination, .a flat bottomed pan adapted 1 to bear on and slide along the flat bottom of a ditch, guide means arranged on opposite sides of said pan and mounted thereon .for angular adjustment to accommodate difierent slopes of ditch walls, said guide means being adapted to engage the-ditch sides to hold the machine .on its course, means supported on said pan and adjustable angularly with respect thereto for finish grading the sides of the ditch, and meanscarried by said pan for spreading asphalt mix uniformly over :12 the sides and bottom of the ditch and thereafter compactingand smoothing the asphalt.

SLAnEasphaIt ditch paving machine for use in a di-tchhavingsloping side walls, said machine comprising a pair of interconnected upwardly diverging fframe structures adapted to be posi- .tionecl parallel .to the side Walls of said ditch and having hinged support connections to accommodate variations in the slope .of said side walls, longitudinally extending sled means engaging the ground withinthe ditch fcrsupporting the weight of the machine directly on the ground and for guiding .the machine on its course, means car- 'ried'by said frame structures for distributing the asphalt mix uniformly along the sides of said ditch-and meansfor applying heat and pressure to the layer of asphalt for smoothing and compactingthesame.

LA-n asphalt ditch paving machine for use .in.a=.ditch.having sloping side walls, said machine -.comprising a pair of interconnected, upwardly diverging frames adapted .to be positioned parallel to :theside walls of said ditch and having hinged support connections .to accommodate variations in;the,-s'lope;ofsaid side walls, broad surfaced sled means .on said frames bearing directly on the side walls of the ditch for supporting the weight .of-the.machineandfor-guiding the machine along its course,.means-carried by said frames for distributing asphalt uniformly over the surface of the ditch,.and means including a transversely dis- ,posedhot smoothing iron carried by said frames to the rear ,of said distributing means for com- ,pactingand-smoothing the layer-of asphalt.

'SaAn asphalt ditch paving machine for use in aditch having sloping side walls, said machine comprising a pair of frames pivotally connected together for relative angular movement and adapted to be positioned parallel 'to the side walls .o'f-said:ditch, longitudinallyextending sled means on said frames bearing directly on the sides of :said ditch for supporting the machine, means :carried by :said frames for distributing asphalt uniformly over the surface of the ditch and means including a .-roller carried by said frames to the rear of said distributing means for compacting and-smoothing the layer of asphalt.

.9. An asphalt ditch paving machine comprising a pair of interconnected, angularly related frames, an-asphalt sweep mounted on each of said frames for spreading the paving mix uniformly over the sides of the ditch, a tamper mounted on said frame behind said sweep for compacting the relatively loose material, a hot smoothing iron arranged tothe rear of said tamper'for seal- .ingthe surface-of the tamped asphalt, and a rollver journaled on said frame behind said smoothing iron for .rollingsaid'asphalt.

10. An asphalt ditch paving machine comprising a pair of interconnected, angularly related irames, an asphalt sweep mounted on each of said frames for spreading the paving mix uni- .forinl-y over the surface of the ditch walls, a hot .smoothingiron carried on said frame behind said sweep, and .-a roller journaled on said frame to the rear of said smoothing iron to trail over and compact the asphalt layer.

11. .Anasphal-t ditch paving machine comprising a pair of sections arranged side by side in angular relationship whereby said sections are adapted to travel on and pave the sloping sides of a ditch, means connecting said sections to- .-geti-1er ,and providing for angular adjustment therebetween, each of said sections comprising a frame, an asphalt sweep mounted on said frame 13 near the front end thereof for spreading the paving mix uniformly over the surfac of the ditch walls, a tamper carried on said frame to the rear of said sweep, a hot smoothing iron mounted on said frame behind said tamper, and a roller journaled on said frame to trail over the asphalt behind said smoothing iron to compact the asphalt into a dense, smooth layer.

12. An asphalt ditch paving machine comprising, in combination, a flat bottomed pan adapted to bear on and slide along the flat bottom of a ditch, a pair of guide members mounted on opposite sides of said pan for vertical swinging movement and engageable with the sloping sides of the ditch to hold said pan on its course, means connecting said guide members with said pan for adjusting the angular relationship between them, grading means supported on said guiding members for vertical swinging movement, means for yieldingly urging said grading means against the sides of the ditch, and means connected with said pan at the rear end thereof for spreading asphalt mix uniformly over the sides and bottom of the ditch and thereafter compacting and smoothing the asphalt layer.

13. An asphalt ditch paving machine comprising, in combination, a flat bottomed pan adapted to bear on and slide along the bottom of a ditch, a pair of guide members mounted on opposite sides of said pan and engageable with the sloping sides of the ditch for holding said pan on its course, a center frame supported on the rear end of said pan and adjustable vertically with respect thereto, means on said frame for distributing asphalt mix uniformly over the bottom of the ditch, means mounted on said frame to the rear of said distributing means for compacting and smoothing the layer of asphalt, a pair of side frames mounted on opposite sides of said center frame for vertical swinging movement, means for yieldingly urging each of said side frames down against the sides of the ditch, means carried on each of said side frames for distributin asphalt mix uniformly over the side walls of the ditch, and means mounted on each of said side frames to the rear of said spreadin means for compacting and smoothing the asphalt layer.

14. An asphalt ditch paving machine comprising a front unit and a rear unit connected together for relative vertical adjustment, said front unit comprising a center section and two side sections sup orted thereon in upwardly diverging relationship, said center section including a flat pan adapted to bear on and slide along the flat bottom of the ditch, means carried on said pan for moving the machine along the ditch, said side sections each consisting of a guide member mounted on the side of the pan and engageable with the sides of the ditch for holding the machine on its course. a frame mounted on said guide member, grading means carried by said frame for scraping the sides of said ditch to final grade, an elevated asphalt hopper mounted on said center section and adapted to discharge asphalt mix onto the sides of the ditch behind said grading means and onto the bottom of the ditch behind said pan, said rear unit of the machine comprising a center section and two side sections supported thereon in upwardly diverging relationship, said center section including a frame adjustably supported from the center section of the front unit at a predetermined height above the surface of the ditch bottom, an asphalt sweep mounted on the frame to distribute the asphalt mix to a substantially uniform depth over the bottom of the ditch, means on the frame behind said sweep for striking off the asphalt to a predetermined level, and a hot smoothing iron carried by said frame behind said strike-off means for compacting and sealing the asphalt layer, said side sections of the rear unit each comprising a frame p-ivotally connected to the center section for vertical swinging movement to follow the contour of the ditch side walls, an asphalt sweep mounted on said frame for distributing the asphalt mix uniformly over the surface of the ditch side walls, a tamper mounted on said frame behind said asphalt sweep for compacting the relatively loose material, a hot smoothing iron carried on the frame behind said tamper for sealing the surface of the tamped asphalt, and a roller journaled on the frame to trail over the asphalt behind said smoothing iron for rolling the asphalt into a dense, smooth layer.

15. An asphalt ditch paving machine comprising a pair of frames arranged side by side and connected together for vertical swinging movement, a plurality of fore and aft extending runners mounted on said frames for engaging the side walls of the ditch to support and guide the machine, means on said frames for spreading asphalt mix uniformly over the side walls of the ditch, a hot smoothing iron mounted on each of said frames to the rear of said distributing means for compacting and sealing the asphalt layer, and a roller journaled on said frame behind said hot smoothing iron to roll the asphalt.

16. An asphalt ditch paving machine comprising a main supporting structure having ground engaging bearing surfaces of sufficient area to support the weight of the'machine on the ground without sinking in appreciably, hinged sled means on, said supporting structure adapted to engage the side walls of the ditch for guiding the machine on its course, and means carried by said structure for distributing asphalt to a uniform depth over the surfaces of the ditch and thereafter compacting and smoothing said asphalt to a dense, smooth layer.

17. An asphalt ditch paving machine comprising, in combinationQa flat bottomed sled adapted to bear on and slide along the fiat bottom of a ditch, guide means arranged on opposite sides of said sled and hingedly mounted thereon for angular adjustment to accommodate different slopes of ditch walls, said guide means being adapted to engage the sides of the ditch to hold the machine on its course, and means carried on said sled for distributing aspha t mix to a uniform depth over the surfaces of sa d ditch and thereafter compacting said asphalt.

18. An asphalt ditch paving machine comprising, in combination, a supporting structure having ground engaging bearing sur aces of. sulficient area to support the weight of the machine on the ground without sinking in appreciably, guide means mounted on said structure and having a broad articulated bearing surface ada ted to engage the bottom and sloping sides of the ditch to hold the machine on its course, and means carried on said structure for distributing asphalt mix uniformly over the sides and bottom of the ditch and thereafter compacting the asphalt.

19. An asphalt ditch paving machine comprising, in combination a center section and two side sections supported thereon in upwardly diverging relationship, said center section including a flat bottomed pan adapted to bear on and slide along the fiat bottom of a ditch, guide means mounted on the sides of said :pan and adapted to engage the sloping side walls of the "ditch to guide the machine along its course, 'grading means carried by said sidesections for scraping the sides of the ditch to final :grade, and means for distributing asphalt mix on the ditch surfaces and thereafter smoothing and compacting the same.

20. An asphalt ditch paving machine comprising, in combination a center section and'two side sections supported thereon in upwardly diverging relationship and adjustable angularly with respect theretmmeans for adjusting the position of said side sections relative to said center section,

said center section including a flat bottomed pan adapted to bear on and slide along the flat bottom of a ditch, guide means mounted on the sides of said pan and adapted to engage the sloping side walls of the ditch to guide the machine along its course, grading means carried by said side sectimes for scraping the sides of the ditch to final grade, and means for distributing asphalt mix on the ditch surfaces and thereafter smoothing and compacting the -same.;

21. An asphalt di-tohpavi-ng machine comprising, in combination a center section and two side sections, supported thereon in upwardly diverging relationship, said center section including a flat bottomed pan adapted to bear -on and slide along the fiat bottomof a ditch, guide means mounted on the sides of said pan and adapted to engage the sloping side walls of the ditch to guide the machine along its course, grading means carried by said side sections forscraping the sides of the ditch to final grade, a supply hopper mounted on said panand adapted to distribute asphalt mix to the sides of the ditch behind said-grading means and to the bottomof the ditch behindsaid pan, and means for distributing the asphalt mix uniformly over the ditch surface and thereafter smoothing and compacting the same. r

'22. An asphalt ditch paving machine comprising, in combination, a center section frame, a pair of side section frames arranged along the sides of said center section frame and extending upwardly and outwardly therefrom in diverging relationship, distributing means carried on each of said frames for spreading the asphalt mix uniformly over the ditch surfaces, andmeans on each of said frames to the rear of said distributing means for compacting and smoothing the layer of asphalt.

23. An asphalt ditch paving mac'hine eempna ing in combination, a center section name, a pair 'of side section frames arranged along are sides of said center section frame and extending upwardly and outwardly therefrom in diverging relationship, said side section frames being connected to said center section frame for angular movement with respect thereto whereby said'side sections are permitted to follow the contour of the ditch side walls, distributing means carried on each of said frames for spreading the asphalt mix uniformly over the ditch surfaces, andme'ans on each of said frames to the rear of said distributing means for compacting, smoothing, and rolling the layer of asphalt.

24. An asphalt ditch paving machine "comprising, in combination, a center section frame, 'a pai'r of side section frames arranged along "the sides of said centersectionframe andextending upwardly and outwardly therefrom in diverging relation ship, distributing means carried on each of said frames for spreading the asphalt mix uniformly over the ditch surfaces, a tamper, hot smoothing iron, and roller carried by each of saidside section frames for compacting and smoothing the asphalt layer on the side Walls of the ditch, and a hot smoothing iron carried by said center section frame for compacting and smoothing the asphalt layer on the bottom of the ditch.

EDWARD D. EKENSTAM.

REFERENCES CITED he following references are of record in the of this patent:

UIJII'ED STATES PATENTS m V i die 

